Refrigeration – With means preventing or handling atmospheric condensate... – Means utilizing heat developed by refrigeration producer
Patent
1999-08-17
2000-11-28
Doerrler, William
Refrigeration
With means preventing or handling atmospheric condensate...
Means utilizing heat developed by refrigeration producer
62285, F23B 4700
Patent
active
061519065
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to air conditioning systems and, more particularly, it relates to room air conditioners wherein moisture removed from inside air is conducted to the outside section of the unit.
BACKGROUND ART
Warm air is frequently humid, i.e. it contains entrained water vapor. During operation of an air conditioning system in a cooling mode, the system evaporator reduces the temperature of the air passing through it to below the dew point. In that condition, water vapor condenses on the evaporator. Means must be provided to dispose of this condensate. In small unitary air conditioners, such as room air conditioners, a common means to accomplish condensate disposal is to provide a condensate collection and drain path that communicates between the inside section and the outside section of the air conditioner.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, an air conditioning unit is provided which includes an indoor section and an outdoor section, which are supported by a basepan and which are separated by a partition forming part of the basepan. The indoor section includes an indoor fan and an evaporator coil. During operation, the cold evaporator condenses water from the air being cooled and the condensate flows downwardly to the lower end of the evaporator where it is collected and a flow path is provided from the indoor section through the partition to the outdoor section. The lower end of the evaporator is supported by a substantially horizontal support surface. A condensate collection channel has a first portion located adjacent to, substantially parallel to and in fluid communication with the horizontal support surface. The first portion of the condensate collection channel is inclined from a high point at one end thereof to a low point at the other end thereof. The condensate collection channel has a second portion in fluid flow communication with the other end of the first portion. The second portion is inclined from a high point where it is in flow communication with the first portion to a low point in the outdoor section of the air conditioner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may be better understood and its objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an perspective view of a room air conditioner which embodies the features of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the air conditioner of FIG. 1 with the upper cover, front grill portions and other selected components removed therefrom;
FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the air conditioner of FIG. 1 with the upper housing and other components removed therefrom;
FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of the left front section of FIG. 3;
FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the right front section of FIG. 3;
FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the air conditioner of FIG. 1 with certain components removed therefrom;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the lower housing and basepan of the air conditioner of FIG. 1 with many of the components removed; and
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the lines 6--6 of FIG. 5.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
With reference initially to FIG. 1, an air conditioner 2 includes generally an indoor section 4 and an outdoor section 6. The air conditioning unit 2, includes a substantially rectangular housing 12 which includes a lower housing section 14, an upper housing section 16, and an indoor grill section 18. The lower housing section 14 is mounted in a metal support pan 20, and the entire room air conditioner is adapted to be positioned in a rectangular opening in an exterior wall or on a windowsill in a room where cooling is desired, with the indoor grill section 18 facing into the room as is conventional.
The housing section 12 and 14 and the grill 18 are preferably made from a molded plastic material. As best seen in FIGS. 2 through 6, the entire air conditioning unit 2 is supported on a basepan 8 molded
REFERENCES:
patent: 3724233 (1973-04-01), Pugh et al.
patent: 5437164 (1995-08-01), Consiglio
patent: 5669230 (1997-09-01), Bruce et al.
Carrier Corporation
Doerrler William
Jones Melvin
LandOfFree
Condensate collection system for a room air conditioner does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Condensate collection system for a room air conditioner, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Condensate collection system for a room air conditioner will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1713229